blakester's 52 for 2010, Part 1

Below is my take on this weeks theme 'METAL'
C&C welcome as always....

 
Fits the theme well and the Black and white conversion makes it work.

The METAL (I assume Copper) Bracelet on the right wrist also adds to the final image. - I guess the ball shaped ends of it, mirror the Pentanque (sp?) balls.

Maybe just maybe a slightly softer light so the shadows of the hands arn't quite so overpowering? But overall it works. What was it - Camera on tripod, 3 second timer, grab the balls (oo-er) and turn around quick?
 
Lynton said:
Fits the theme well and the Black and white conversion makes it work.

The METAL (I assume Copper) Bracelet on the right wrist also adds to the final image. - I guess the ball shaped ends of it, mirror the Pentanque (sp?) balls.

Maybe just maybe a slightly softer light so the shadows of the hands arn't quite so overpowering? But overall it works. What was it - Camera on tripod, 3 second timer, grab the balls (oo-er) and turn around quick?
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Cheers Lynton:thumbs:
I managed to get this image this afternoon between showers/sunshine. I see what you mean about the shadows, maybe worth a revisit of this:thinking:.
Yes, I was back and forward to the camera on the tripod, quick press, run and pose, neighbours must have been wondering what is that daft Jock up to now:lol:
 
I like the light on your balls :D and the reflections of your finger tips. Lots of metal to fit the theme too !
 
justlooking said:
I like the light on your balls :D and the reflections of your finger tips. Lots of metal to fit the theme too !
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Thanks for looking, Justlooking ;), lots of scope for some double entendre on this one eh?
 
What a load of balls! Two in your hands and two on the bracelet . . .
Sorry Iain, but you've really left yourself open to it this week :D

For such a shiny subject, you've really controlled the reflections and lighting well.
Those bright spots of highlight on the balls and the bracelet really draw my eye to them as the main focal points.
And I love the way that you've got the reflection of your fingers on the balls, but you've managed to avoid any reflection of the rest of the background :thumbs:

The PP is spot on for me. Absolutely no need for colour in this one - the B&W suits it perfectly and the vignetting really helps to focus your eye. Also a very strong composition with the crossed arms.

Agree with Lynton re: the shadows of the hands - maybe a bit of a tweak in PP in shadows/highlights might soften these a touch. But this really doesn't detract from the image at all. In fact this is my favourite shot for metal so far this week (and that's nothing to do with all the balls jokes) :clap: :clap: :clap:
 
Cracking shot, fits the theme perfectly.
It works very well in B&W and I think colour would have spoilt it. Its also very well lit.
 
Excellent idea for post, very unique and love the artwork.
Metal also works very well although i'm a little distracted by the bracelet, as its metal it makes me dither between the two. unless it was intentional id be tempted to take it off.
 
Excellent! The shadows from the hands could be a little softer but I really don't think it matters here - it contributes to the sensation that you are just waiting to clock someone with those balls! :lol:
 
SarahLee said:
What a load of balls! Two in your hands and two on the bracelet . . .
Sorry Iain, but you've really left yourself open to it this week :D

For such a shiny subject, you've really controlled the reflections and lighting well.
Those bright spots of highlight on the balls and the bracelet really draw my eye to them as the main focal points.
And I love the way that you've got the reflection of your fingers on the balls, but you've managed to avoid any reflection of the rest of the background :thumbs:

The PP is spot on for me. Absolutely no need for colour in this one - the B&W suits it perfectly and the vignetting really helps to focus your eye. Also a very strong composition with the crossed arms.

Agree with Lynton re: the shadows of the hands - maybe a bit of a tweak in PP in shadows/highlights might soften these a touch. But this really doesn't detract from the image at all. In fact this is my favourite shot for metal so far this week (and that's nothing to do with all the balls jokes) :clap: :clap: :clap:
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:razz: Sarah :lol: I do not mind suffering for my art.
Thanks once again for your positive comments Sarah.
I took the image in quite harsh sunlight, hence the shadows. I have only recently acquired photoshop and am far from competent with it but I will have a look at tweaking the shadows. I am glad you like it, thanks again.

DC2Z said:
Cracking shot, fits the theme perfectly.
It works very well in B&W and I think colour would have spoilt it. Its also very well lit.
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Cheers to you too Darren, thanks for your comments. I usually prefer colour but this one works better for me in B&W.

clud17 said:
Excellent idea for post, very unique and love the artwork.
Metal also works very well although i'm a little distracted by the bracelet, as its metal it makes me dither between the two. unless it was intentional id be tempted to take it off.
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Thanks Chris :thumbs:
The bracelet was delibarate, I thought it mimicked the petanque balls but your opinion and view is appreciated :thumbs:

Tracer said:
Excellent! The shadows from the hands could be a little softer but I really don't think it matters here - it contributes to the sensation that you are just waiting to clock someone with those balls! :lol:
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Thanks Tracer, an interesting interpretation :lol:
 
I'm going to resist making comments about your nice shiny balls, Iain! :D

Seriously, this is an interesting shot, and one I would never have thought of. So I give it top marks for originality. It also gets a big :thumbs: from me for the composition. I like the highlights on the 2 boules and the way they are echoed on the bracelet. The reflections of your fingers add interest and I also like the strong shadows of your hands on your ... err.... jeans. You clearly caught a few minutes of brilliant sunshine and the shadows counter-balance the highlights and for me that brings the shot alive.

An excellent week, Iain. :clap::clap::clap:

btw - if the neighbours ask what you were doing - what will you tell them? :D

Jean
 
That's an excellent shot Iain. The metal is very clear, and the processing is just about right... the vignette adds to it. I hadn't notice the shadows till someone mentioned it, so, for me, I'm not sure they are too much of an issue.
 
Works really well in B&W Iain. As the others have said, the shadows could be just a little softer.
 
jeangenie said:
I'm going to resist making comments about your nice shiny balls, Iain! :D

Seriously, this is an interesting shot, and one I would never have thought of. So I give it top marks for originality. It also gets a big :thumbs: from me for the composition. I like the highlights on the 2 boules and the way they are echoed on the bracelet. The reflections of your fingers add interest and I also like the strong shadows of your hands on your ... err.... jeans. You clearly caught a few minutes of brilliant sunshine and the shadows counter-balance the highlights and for me that brings the shot alive.

An excellent week, Iain. :clap::clap::clap:

btw - if the neighbours ask what you were doing - what will you tell them? :D

Jean
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Thanks Jean, its a struggle at times to come up with original ideas for these themes so cheers for the top marks:D.
I never had a sensible answer for the neighbours for what I was up to :lol:
i prefer just to let them make their own minds up :lol:

jgs001 said:
That's an excellent shot Iain. The metal is very clear, and the processing is just about right... the vignette adds to it. I hadn't notice the shadows till someone mentioned it, so, for me, I'm not sure they are too much of an issue.
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Cheers John, I had a go at trying to PP the shadows but it didn't quite work :thinking:. thanks for your comments

holryn said:
Works really well in B&W Iain. As the others have said, the shadows could be just a little softer.
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Thanks Paul, as I said above, softening the shadows was beyond my PP skills.
 
This is a very strong image Iain.

The crossed hands make a great composition. Mono works really well. Even though there are hotspots, they are subdued enough not to be obtrusive. The shadows are very hard but the rest of the image is so strong that they don't dominate the picture. The vignette draws the viewer in nicely.

Andy
 
daddy day care said:
This is a very strong image Iain.

The crossed hands make a great composition. Mono works really well. Even though there are hotspots, they are subdued enough not to be obtrusive. The shadows are very hard but the rest of the image is so strong that they don't dominate the picture. The vignette draws the viewer in nicely.

Andy
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Thanks Andy, I have broken a few 'rules' with this image, ie harsh sunlight, shadows and the hotspots but besides all that, I am happy with it. The image was how I envisaged it before capture, so for that I am pleased.
Thanks again for looking/commenting, much appreciated.
 
Below is my take on this weeks theme 'GRUNGE'.
I was seriously lacking inspiration for this, and decided to take a cycle around my village seeking a light bulb moment. Well that moment arrived in more ways than one ;) The images below are of the dirtiest thing I could find. A wee bit of a crowbar but hey its got to have been the worst theme yet in this 52.


C&C welcome as always.
 
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Looks spot on to the theme for me, certainly not a crowbar as far as I'm concerned. Second suits the theme better for me as you can really see the grunge in the light.
 
Mike Jackson said:
Looks spot on to the theme for me, certainly not a crowbar as far as I'm concerned. Second suits the theme better for me as you can really see the grunge in the light.
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Thanks Mike, I just wasn't sure about the image(s) for being on theme but I will take your word for it :D. Thanks for looking, much appreciated.
 
one very grungy light ! I like them both, the first gives the setting and the second the detail
 
A tough one this week Iain, but that works nicely... personally I'm heading towards the first... the seperation of the lamp works better for me.
 
jgs001 said:
A tough one this week Iain, but that works nicely... personally I'm heading towards the first... the seperation of the lamp works better for me.
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Cheers John, I am still undecided on which one I prefer. I agree about the separation in the B&W one but like colour in my images:thinking:. Thanks for your comments
 
I think the colour version shows up the 'grunge' best and so gets my vote.
 
jeangenie said:
That looks pretty grungey to me, Iain - no crowbar needed imo. :)

The mono version has a grungey Victorian feel, so that's the one that gets my vote, although the colour version also works well. An excellent interpretation of the theme. :thumbs:

Jean
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Thanks for your kind comments Jean. I wasn't sure on which image to post, so a wee bit of a cheat in posting both images to cover all the bases;)

sparrow said:
I think the colour version shows up the 'grunge' best and so gets my vote.
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Thank-you too Sparrow, your comments are much appreciated.
 
I agree with Sarah on this, certainly as an interpretation of the theme. However I also like the first one which for me has a slightly sinister feel, perhaps because of the distortion of the tower. I am looking for a ghost.....

Both good shots.
 
Beginnings meh!
Below is my take on what has been a pretty uninspiring theme for me.
Back to my other hobby, this is the first shot on the first hole, the beginning of a round.


C&C welcome as always but if I were you I'd move along, nothing to see here:D
 
Great use of DOF and the pink tee adds a great splash of colour.
(I always wondered who it was that used pink tees as I seem to find 100s everytime I play)
 
DC2Z said:
Great use of DOF and the pink tee adds a great splash of colour.
(I always wondered who it was that used pink tees as I seem to find 100s everytime I play)
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Thanks Darren.
The pink tee is spot on for height for my driver, thats my story and I'm sticking to it :razz:
 
blakester said:
C&C welcome as always but if I were you I'd move along, nothing to see here:D
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You're being very hard on yourself, Iain. You've made good use of the dof and the pink tee adds a bit of class (imo!) :) It's really hard to get enthusiastic when the theme does nothing for you (I know - I've been moaning for weeks, now!) but I still think you've produced a well-composed and thoughtful shot. I hope you had a good round, too! :)

Onwards and upwards for next week - hopefully. ;):D

Jean
 
ladysue said:
I like that Iain, especially the blast of pink amongst the more natural, neutral colours and the depth of field is excellent.Thats something I have been working on this week.
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Thanks for your positive comments Sue. The contrast of the pink tee against the natural colours was intentional, it was to lift an image (theme) which I was a little indifferent towards.

jeangenie said:
You're being very hard on yourself, Iain. You've made good use of the dof and the pink tee adds a bit of class (imo!) :) It's really hard to get enthusiastic when the theme does nothing for you (I know - I've been moaning for weeks, now!) but I still think you've produced a well-composed and thoughtful shot. I hope you had a good round, too! :)

Onwards and upwards for next week - hopefully. ;):D

Jean
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Jean, thank-you too for your positive and kind comments. As I mentioned to Sue, not my favourite theme so far, my level of enthusiasm for it never got beyond indifference. I am not convinced about the image myself, bit of a crowbar truth be told but hey we are into a new week and a new theme, so onwards and upwards.
 
I like that .. love the oof background and the really sharp writing on the ball. The pink really adds to it.
 
pah! pink Castle tees :lol:....... tell me you don't really use them...........:D Want me to ring your secretary and see if you can get special permission to play off the reds? :lol::lol::lol: and bloody callaway balls as well..... :shake:

Seriously, an interesting if somewhat quirky take on the theme.... and for the theme it works......

Is there some PP to blur out the background there?


We do really need to sort out a game...........
 
Thought about this shot myself. Was going to try and get the sign for the first hole at the club I'm a member at but deciced against it.

Also hope you bought some pink tees for the shot and they were'nt in your bag... :lol:

And nothing wrong with Callaways, althought Srixon is my ball.

Nice detail in the foreground and like the vignetting.
 
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